How Carrie Fisher ‘stole’ the hearts of NJ celebrities

As Princess Leia, Carrie Fisher was idolized by young girls for her on-screen strength and leadership, while young boys worshiped the feisty actress. As news of her death spread Tuesday, celebrities from New Jersey took to social media to pay tribute to the late "Star Wars" royalty.

Among them, actor/writer/director Kevin Smith eulogized Fisher in an Instagram post, saying the "princess stole" his heart at age 7 and was his "first love."

"In childhood, I committed myself to Carrie Fisher without ever meeting her the way novice nuns commit themselves to Christ without meeting Him," Smith said on Instagram.

He later had the opportunity to meet and work with his childhood crush when they filmed "Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back."

Smith wasn't the only Garden State celebrity to express grief over 60-year-old Fisher's death, which was the result of a medical emergency she suffered during an airplane flight on Friday. Everyone from reality stars and actors to New Jersey astronaut Scott Kelly paid tribute to the late actress.

Toniann Antonelli is Digital managing Editor-Programming for NJ 101.5. She can be reached at toniann.antonelli@townsquaremedia.com, or on Twitter @ToniRadio1015.